July 25, 2016 - 11:16 AM
VERNON, B.C. - An endurance swimmer from the United States has started stroking toward a Guinness World Record in British Columbia's Okanagan Lake.
Michigan-based triathlete Adam Ellenstein intends to swim 105-kilometres from Okanagan Landing to Penticton.
He started just before 6 a.m. Monday and plans to complete the gruelling marathon in 40 hours.
If successful, Ellenstein hopes to claim the record for the fastest, non-stop, lengthwise swim of the chilly lake.
Tourism Kelowna lists the average water temperature in July as low as 19 C, and Ellenstein's Facebook page says he will consume at least 10,000 calories during the record attempt.
He is accompanied by a crew of 16, including several kayakers who will paddle beside him throughout the endeavour that is aimed at raising awareness of Parkinson's disease. (CKIZ)
News from © The Canadian Press, 2016